Farina new U20 soccer technical adviser

FORMER Socceroos coach Frank Farina is expected to join the Fiji Football Association as the national under-20 technical adviser next month.

Association president Rajesh Patel said Farina had rejected an offer from New Zealand.

"We are talking with Frank again," Patel said.

"He is interested in coming to Fiji as technical director to Ravinesh Kumar as coach. Once he comes on board then we will have a camp in September for the players.

"They went through a beep test last week. We want them to prime at the right time next June. We have a budget from Oceania and the grant from the FIFA World Cup."

Fiji created history in May after winning the regional playoffs to qualify for next year's FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Patel said they were organising tours for the team.

"We are talking with the countries through Oceania Football where we could tour by just paying the air fares," he said.

"There are plans to play matches in Canada, United States and Mexico.

"The team could travel to Australia in September if we can line up matches. That could be for two weeks just after the camp.

"The players will then return to play at the Courts Inter District Championship. There will be further camps in November and December.

"Before going to New Zealand for the World Cup, there are plans for the team to go to Australia for a month. Most of the money from the FIFA World Cup bonus will be channelled to the U20 preparations."

Fiji FA was expected to receive a bonus of $464,000 last month and is set to receive more than $928,000 bonus in January.

Farina is also a former Australian player and was recently the head coach of A-League club Sydney FC.

His playing career spanned in Australia, Belgium, France, Italy and England.

He represented the Socceroos from the late 1984 to 1995 making 64 appearances and scoring 14 goals.